Wastes

Linked to earthquakes, water contamination, and general pollution, fracking becomes more controversial by the day. Meanwhile, 13,000 new wells are being drilled every year. There have been over a thousand documented cases of water contamination next to areas of gas drilling—cases of sensory, respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological damage. From the water we drink to the ground beneath our feet, is it too late to ask, “What gives?”

By understanding the scope of the RCRA exclusion for the oil and gas industry, EHS managers and engineers can be confident they are managing waste in line with the latest federal standards and avoid RCRA civil penalties as high as $37,500 per day per violation.

"The grants will help transform brownfield sites, such as former manufacturing and mill sites, into productive end uses which directly benefit community residents and create opportunities, including increased housing options, recreational spaces, and jobs," said Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator of EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response.

Duke Energy, the nation's largest electrical utility, pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to nine criminal violations of the Clean Water Act for polluting four major rivers for several years with toxic coal ash from five power plants in North Carolina.

Residents of nearby Lake St. Croix Beach and St. Mary's Point fear the project would cause more environmental problems than it solves. Among other concerns, they fear that Valley Creek -- a protected trout stream -- could be harmed and groundwater near drinking water wells could be contaminated.

"Most industries that currently flare their waste gases will soon be able to use these waste gases productively while also significantly reducing their emissions of waste gases into the atmosphere. This is great news for our world's air quality and great news for the financial bottom lines of the industries that currently emit these greenhouse gases into the atmosphere," said Alain Castro, CEO of Ener-Core.

Duke University geochemist Avner Vengosh, who co-led the research, said the research "gives us new forensic tools to detect if frack fluids are escaping into our water supply and what risks, if any, they might pose."

The Veterans Canteen Service operates the retail, food, and vending for these facilities and will be using the company's technology to eliminate about 45,000 tons of food waste per year, if utilized across all of VA's facilities.